Idaho

ID

HB 612 — Plug-In Solar Device Consumer Access Act

Deferred
Current Status
Last verified: March 2026

Legislative Status

HB 612 died in the House State Affairs Committee when the Idaho legislative session ended on April 2, 2026. The bill never received a committee hearing. A new bill will need to be introduced in the 2027 Idaho legislative session.

Sponsored by: Rep. Britt Raybould

Legislation Progress

In Committee

30%

pipeline complete

Introduced
In Committee
Passed Committee
One Chamber
Both Chambers
Gov. Desk
Enacted

Passage Likelihood

25%

HB 612 died in the House State Affairs Committee when the session ended — no hearing was scheduled. Republican trifecta and short session are headwinds, but rural energy independence arguments resonate. Modest 2027 prospects.

Session Deadline

April 2, 2026

Legislative calendar cutoff

Expected Timeline

HB 612 is dead for the 2026 session. Idaho's session ended April 2, 2026. A new bill must be introduced in the 2027 session starting January 2027.

Idaho Solar Data

Avg. Electricity Rate11.3¢/kWh
TOU Peak Spread
3¢/kWh
Est. Annual Savings
~$135/yr
Last UpdatedMarch 2026
Calculate ID Savings
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Key Provisions

Would exempt certified plug-in solar devices from PUC interconnection requirements.

What This Means for You

What You Can Do

If passed: self-install without Idaho Power or Rocky Mountain Power approval.

Current Limitations

Law not yet enacted. Idaho utilities currently require interconnection agreements.

Official Bill Reference

Dead — Died in Committee (Session Ended April 2, 2026)
View Full Bill Text — HB 612

Opens official state legislature website in a new tab.

Idaho State Overview

Key data on solar potential, demographics, utilities, and incentives.

Solar Resource
Peak Sun Hours5.3 hrs/day
Optimal Tilt40°
Best FacingDue South (180°)
Est. Annual Output (800W)1,200 kWh/yr
Best MonthsMay-August

Idaho has good solar resources, particularly in the southern regions.

Major Utilities
Idaho Power
~554400 customers
Net metering
Avista Utilities
~145000 customers
Net metering
Kootenai Electric Cooperative
~31535 customers
Net metering

Population
1,964,726
Total Households
717,067
Owner-Occupied
512,476
Renter-Occupied
204,591
Single-Family Homes
512,476
Apartment Units (5+)
50,076
Median Income
$70,214
Median Home Value
$396,900

29% of Idaho households are renter-occupied — approximately 204,591 households that could benefit from plug-in solar without owning their home.

Idaho offers a personal income tax deduction for residential alternative energy systems (up to $5,000/year, $20,000 lifetime). Net metering available through Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.

News Coverage

Media coverage of plug-in solar developments in Idaho.

Why Western states are pushing for plug-in solar

High Country NewsMarch 2026